Enquirer counts down the 20 players projected to be most key to Western Michigan's success in 2018

Western Michigan begins fall practices on Aug. 2, and 29 days later the Broncos will kick off the season against Syracuse on Aug. 31 at Waldo Stadium.

Second-year coach Tim Lester and the Broncos are coming off a 6-6 season and will seek to recapture the Mid-American Conference title they won in 2016.

Leading up to fall camp and before the incoming freshmen class arrives, we're making an early projection at the top 20 players who will be most key to the Broncos' success in 2018:

No. 6: Na'jee Clayton

Na'Jee Clayton(Photo: Courtesy of WMU Athletics)

Position: Linebacker/Safety

Hometown (H.S.): Paterson, New Jersey (Paramus Catholic)

2017 stats: None

Why he's No. 6: Clayton transferred to Western Michigan from Rutgers in 2016, and after sitting out the past season due to NCAA transfer rules, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound junior appears ticketed for a big role for the Broncos. At Paramus Catholic High School, he was a four-year starter and played alongside former Michigan standout and Cleveland Browns' safety Jabrill Peppers, as well as Michigan defensive tackle Rashan Gary — both widely considered to be the top recruits in the nation for their respective classes. He was a three-star recruit himself as a defensive back/receiver, and garnered interest from top-tier programs like Alabama, Michigan and USC, with offers coming from Florida, Georgia Tech and Iowa, among others. While he is in the mix to start at outside linebacker after earning Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year, his history playing safety for the Scarlet Knights gives WMU flexibility to move him around on defense. After flying all over and delivering blows on the practice field for a year, Clayton is eager to show Bronco fans what he can do.

Nick Buckley can be reached at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley